How familiar are you with some Israeli food? You’re probably familiar with Hummus and falafel, but what about other Israeli delicacies?
First, there is pita bread with za’atar. Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend made from dried thyme, oregano, sumac, and sesame seeds, sometimes with marjoram. It can also have salt, dried orange zest, and dill. It can be used in many different ways, but one popular way is on pita bread. It’s pretty simple. Olive oil is brushed on top of pita bread,and then the za’atar is sprinkled on top. Then it can be either toasted or baked.
Bourekas are a stuffed baked pastry made from phylo dough and also very popular in Israel. They are a popular street food, often found in shuks (street markets) and in the Mahane Yehudah market (the main shopping market in Jerusalem). They can be stuffed with cheese, potatoes, mushrooms, or really anything you can think of.
Then there is Sabich. Like falafel, sabich is a stuffed sandwich in pita bread. It is usually stuffed with eggplant, eggs, chopped salad, a unique sauce called amba, as well as a tahini sauce. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll have a hard time choosing between getting a sabich or a falafel for your lunch in Israel.
And finally, you can try shakshouka. This is a dish made from eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, and garlic.
There you have it. Watch this video to see some typical American reactions to these Israeli favorites.
